Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program

ABSTRACT

An information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program, which make it possible for a user to listen to an audio signal more appropriately, are provided. An information processing apparatus, including: behavior recognition unit configured to recognize behavior of a user on a basis of sensing information of at least one of the user and an environment; a processing controller configured to control, on a basis of the recognized behavior of the user, signal processing with respect to at least one of an audio signal listened to by the user, a noise reduction signal, and an external sound monitor signal; and a signal processing unit configured to execute the signal processing.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/753,071, filed Feb. 15, 2018, which is a national stage applicationunder 35 U.S.C. 371 and claims the benefit of PCT Application No.PCT/JP2016/070724 having an international filing date of 13 Jul. 2016,which designated the United States, which PCT application claimed thebenefit of Japan Patent Application No. 2015-168538 filed 28 Aug. 2015,the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus,an information processing method, and a program.

BACKGROUND ART

With widespread of portable audio players, in order to obtainsatisfactory playback sound field space at the outdoors, noise reductionsystems have recently been spread which can reduce noise of an externalenvironment.

As such a noise reduction system, systems disclosed in the followingPatent Literatures 1 to 3 are proposed, for example.

To be specific, the following Patent Literature 1 discloses a noisereduction system which reduces a noise component included in a frequencyband having frequencies less than or equal to a specific value. Further,the following Patent Literature 2 discloses a noise reduction systemwhich generates a noise reduction signal using noise collected by amicrophone provided in an inner part of a housing worn by a user onhis/her ear and noise collected by a microphone provided in an outerpart of the housing.

Further, studies have been conducted on generating a more appropriatenoise reduction signal in response to noise of an external environment.For example, the following Patent Literature 3 discloses that a noisereduction signal is generated by analyzing characteristics of collectednoise and using a filter coefficient selected on the basis of theanalyzed noise characteristics.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

-   Patent Literature 1: JP 5034730B-   Patent Literature 2: JP 5194434B-   Patent Literature 3: JP 2008-122729A

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

However, the techniques disclosed in the above Patent Literatures 1 to 3have not been techniques that performs appropriate signal processingwith respect to at least one of an audio signal, a noise reductionsignal, and an external sound monitor signal in response to behaviorsand situations of a user at the time at which the user listens to asound.

Accordingly, the present disclosure proposes an information processingapparatus, an information processing method, and a program, which arenovel and improved, and which make it possible for a user to listen toan audio signal more appropriately.

Solution to Problem

According to the present disclosure, there is provided an informationprocessing apparatus, including: a behavior recognition unit configuredto recognize behavior of a user on a basis of sensing information of atleast one of the user and an environment; a processing controllerconfigured to control, on a basis of the recognized behavior of theuser, signal processing with respect to at least one of an audio signallistened to by the user, a noise reduction signal, and an external soundmonitor signal; and a signal processing unit configured to execute thesignal processing.

Further, according to the present disclosure, there is provided aninformation processing method, including: recognizing behavior of a useron a basis of sensing information of at least one of the user and anenvironment; controlling, by an arithmetic processing unit, on a basisof the recognized behavior of the user, signal processing with respectto at least one of an audio signal listened to by the user, a noisereduction signal, and an external sound monitor signal; and executingthe signal processing.

Still further, according to the present disclosure, there is provided aprogram for causing a computer to function as a behavior recognitionunit configured to recognize behavior of a user on a basis of sensinginformation of at least one of the user and an environment, a processingcontroller configured to control, on a basis of the recognized behaviorof the user, signal processing with respect to at least one of an audiosignal listened to by the user, a noise reduction signal, and anexternal sound monitor signal, and a signal processing unit configuredto execute the signal processing.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to control signalprocessing with respect to at least one of an audio signal, a noisereduction signal, and an external sound monitor signal by recognizingbehavior of a user and using the recognized behavior as a basis.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

As described above, according to the present disclosure, a user iscapable of listening to an audio signal more appropriately.

Note that the effects described above are not necessarily limitative.With or in the place of the above effects, there may be achieved any oneof the effects described in this specification or other effects that maybe grasped from this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a usage example of aninformation processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of theinformation processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an externalsound monitoring function.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration or thelike of the information processing apparatus according to theembodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the informationprocessing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an actual example of operation of theinformation processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing another actual example of operation of theinformation processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overview of an informationprocessing apparatus according to a modified example of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of aninformation processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an actual example of operation of theinformation processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of aninformation processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a map on which pieces of positioninformation of a user are plotted.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, (a) preferred embodiment(s) of the present disclosure willbe described in detail with reference to the appended drawings. Notethat, in this specification and the appended drawings, structuralelements that have substantially the same function and structure aredenoted with the same reference numerals, and repeated explanation ofthese structural elements is omitted.

Note that the description will be given in the following order.

1. First Embodiment

-   -   1.1. Overview of information processing apparatus    -   1.2. Configuration of information processing apparatus    -   1.3. Operation of information processing apparatus    -   1.4. Modified example of information processing apparatus

2. Second Embodiment

-   -   2.1. Configuration of information processing apparatus    -   2.2. Operation of information processing apparatus

3. Third Embodiment

-   -   3.1. Configuration of information processing apparatus

4. Conclusion

1. FIRST EMBODIMENT

[1.1. Overview of Information Processing Apparatus]

First, with reference to FIG. 1, an information processing apparatusaccording to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will bedescribed. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a usage exampleof an information processing apparatus 1 according to the presentembodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 1 according tothe present embodiment is an audio player that generates an audiosignal, for example. The information processing apparatus 1 recognizesbehavior of a user on the basis of sensing information of at least oneof the user 3 and an environment measured by various sensors, andcontrols, on the basis of the recognized behavior of the user 3,generation of at least one of an audio signal listened to by the user 3,a noise reduction signal, and an external sound monitor signal. Notethat, as shown in FIG. 1, for example, the audio signal generated by theinformation processing apparatus 1 may be listened to by the user 3through an acoustic device 2 such as a connected headphone, or the like.

To be specific, the information processing apparatus 1 may generate, onthe basis of the recognized behavior of the user 3, and on the basis ofa sound collected in an external environment, the noise reduction signalthat reduces a sound of an external environment listened to by the user3 or an external monitor signal for the user 3 to confirm a sound of anexternal environment. The external monitor signal may be listened to bythe user 3 alone, or may be listened to by the user 3 by beingsuperimposed on audio content.

Further, the information processing apparatus 1 may control, on thebasis of the recognized behavior of the user 3, acoustic processing tobe performed on an audio signal of audio content (hereinafter, may besimply referred to as a content signal). Moreover, the informationprocessing apparatus 1 may control, on the basis of the recognizedbehavior of the user, amplification processing to be performed on acontent signal. Accordingly, the information processing apparatus 1 cancause the user to listen to a sound on which signal processingcorresponding to the behavior of the user has been performed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 1 may be anaudio player that is provided with various sensors capable of measuringsensing information of at least one of the user 3 and the environment,and may also be a smartphone, a wearable terminal, or the like. Further,the information processing apparatus 1 may also be, for example, anacoustic device such as a headphone or a pair of earphones that isprovided with a sounding body such as a speaker. In addition, theinformation processing apparatus 1 may also be an information processingserver that receives sensing information of at least one of the user 3and the environment through a communication network and transmits anaudio signal on which signal processing has been performed through thenetwork to the acoustic device 2.

Note that the various sensors include, for example, an accelerationsensor, a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, a barometric sensor, atemperature sensor, a light intensity sensor, a pulse wave sensor, aglobal navigation satellite system (GNSS) sensor, a microphone, and thelike. Those various sensors may be provided to the informationprocessing apparatus 1, or may be provided to a device outside theinformation processing apparatus 1. In the case where the varioussensors are provided to a device outside the information processingapparatus 1, the information processing apparatus 1 acquires sensinginformation through a communication interface or an external inputinterface.

The information processing apparatus 1 can recognize various activitiesof the user 3 using the sensing information of at least one of the user3 and the environment measured by those various sensors. Note that it ispreferred that a behavior recognition algorithm using machine learningbe used for the behavior recognition of the user 3 performed by theinformation processing apparatus 1. Examples of activities of the user 3recognized by the information processing apparatus 1 include theactivities shown in the following Table 1. Further, the informationprocessing apparatus 1 can also recognize, in addition to suchactivities of the user 3, whether the user 3 is holding the informationprocessing apparatus 1 in his/her hand and whether the user 3 isoperating the information processing apparatus 1 by his/her hand.

TABLE 1 Stop Riding bicycle Walking Riding motorcycle Running Riding incar Skiing Riding in bus Snowboarding Riding in train Climbing up stairsRiding on escalator Climbing down stairs Riding in elevator

With such an information processing apparatus 1, appropriate signalprocessing can be performed with respect to at least one of the audiosignal, the noise reduction signal, and the external sound monitorsignal, depending on behaviors, situations, use cases, or the like ofthe user 3.

[1.2. Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus]

Subsequently, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a configuration of theinformation processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodimentwill be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functionalconfiguration of the information processing apparatus 1 according to thepresent embodiment, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating anexample of an external sound monitoring function.

As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 1 includes asensor unit 100, a behavior recognition unit 110, a processingcontroller 120, a content storage 130, a microphone unit 140, a signalprocessing unit 150, and an output unit 160.

The sensor unit 100 includes various sensors, and measures sensinginformation of at least one of the user 3 and the environment used inthe behavior recognition unit 110. The various sensors included in thesensor unit 100 are, for example, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor,a geomagnetic sensor, a barometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a lightintensity sensor, a pulse wave sensor, a GNSS sensor, a microphone, andthe like. Those various sensors can measure the following as the sensinginformation, for example: movement information such as movement speed, atilt, a direction, a vibration, and a position of the informationprocessing apparatus 1 (that is, the user 3 holding the informationprocessing apparatus 1); environment information such as an atmosphericpressure, temperature, illuminance, a sound pressure, and a soundsurrounding the information processing apparatus 1; and physicalinformation such as body temperature, blood pressure, and a pulse of theuser 3 holding the information processing apparatus 1. Note that, inorder for the behavior recognition unit 110 to recognize the activitiesof the user 3 more accurately in more detailed classification, it ispreferred that the number of kinds of the various sensors included inthe sensor unit 100 be larger. Further, as long as the sensor unit 100can measure the sensing information of at least one of the user 3 andthe environment, the sensor unit 100 may be provided outside theinformation processing apparatus 1.

The behavior recognition unit 110 recognizes the behavior of the user 3on the basis of the sensing information of at least one of the user 3and the environment measured by the sensor unit 100.

For the recognition of the behavior of the user 3 performed by thebehavior recognition unit 110, the algorithms disclosed in JP2006-340903A, JP 2011-81431A, and JP 2012-107992A can be used, forexample.

To be specific, the behavior recognition unit 110 may calculate awalking frequency of the user 3 by calculating an autocorrelation ofsignals obtained from a plurality of accelerometers that detect linearmotions crossing each other orthogonally and a plurality of gyro sensorsthat detect rotary motions of rotation axes crossing each otherorthogonally. Accordingly, the behavior recognition unit 110 canrecognize whether the user 3 is walking, running, stopping, or the likeon the basis of the walking frequency of the user 3. Further, thebehavior recognition unit 110 may determine whether a half cycle of awaveform of acceleration in a vertical direction corresponds to one stepor two steps on the basis of the shape of the waveform, and may detect awalking situation of the user 3 on the basis of the determinationresult. Accordingly, the behavior recognition unit 110 can recognizewhether the user 3 is walking, running, stopping, or the like on thebasis of the walking situation of the user 3. Moreover, the behaviorrecognition unit 110 may allocate a score for each combination ofsensing information and behavior of the user 3 in advance, and maycalculate a score of behavior of the user 3 corresponding to measuredsensing information, to thereby recognize the behavior of the user 3.For example, the behavior recognition unit 110 may accumulate scores ofactivities corresponding to pieces of measured sensing information, andmay recognize the behavior having the highest score as the behavior ofthe user 3.

Further, the behavior recognition unit 110 may recognize, preferably inaccordance with behavior recognition using a machine learning algorithm,the behavior of the user 3 on the basis of sensing information of atleast one of the user 3 and the environment. To be specific, thebehavior recognition unit 110 may generate a behavior recognitionengine, which is for recognizing the behavior of the user 3 using themachine learning algorithm, and may recognize the behavior of the user 3on the basis of the sensing information using the generated behaviorrecognition engine.

Various known algorithms can be used for the behavior recognitionalgorithm using machine learning, and, for example, algorithms of asupport vector machine, a neural network, a hidden Markov model, kmeans, k neighborhood, a simple Bayesian classifier, and the like can beused.

Note that the number of and the granularity of classifications of thebehavior of the user 3 recognized by the behavior recognition unit 110may be any as far as they are the number and the granularity that canrecognize each behavior of the user 3 in an appropriate certainty, and,for example, the number and the granularity can be set appropriately inaccordance with the kinds of sensing information used for therecognition. Further, the recognition of the behavior of the user 3performed by the behavior recognition unit 110 may be executedcontinually, or may be executed only in the case where the user 3 inputsexecution instruction.

The processing controller 120 controls signal processing executed by thesignal processing unit 150 on the basis of the behavior of the user 3.To be specific, the processing controller 120 may control generation ofa noise reduction signal that cancels an external sound collected by themicrophone unit 140. Further, the processing controller 120 may controlgeneration of an external monitor signal for causing the external soundcollected by the microphone unit 140 to be listened to by the user 3.Further, the processing controller 120 may control acoustic processing,and amplification processing for adjusting volume, of an equalizer orthe like, which are to be performed on a content signal of audio contentstored in the content storage 130. The processing controller 120controls, on the basis of the behavior of the user 3, signal processingwith respect to at least one of the audio signal, the noise reductionsignal, and the external sound monitor signal.

Note that the processing controller 120 may control, in addition to orin place of the above-mentioned control of signal processing, selectionof audio content to be played back on the basis of the recognizedbehavior of the user 3.

Hereinafter, the pieces of signal processing controlled by theprocessing controller 120 will each be described in detail.

The processing controller 120 may control, on the basis of behavior ofthe user 3, generation of at least one of a noise reduction signal thatcancels an external sound and an external monitor signal for causing theexternal sound to be listened to by the user 3.

For example, in the case where the user 3 is doing exercises such asrunning and skiing, the processing controller 120 may control generationof an external monitor signal including the external sound, in order forthe user 3 to be able to listen to a sound of an external environment.Further, the processing controller 120 may similarly control generationof the external monitor signal including the external sound also in thecase where the user 3 is driving a bicycle, a car, and the like.Accordingly, in the case where the user 3 is performing activities suchas doing exercises and driving, which need to pay attention to theexternal environment, the processing controller 120 can cause the user 3to listen to the external environment.

For example, in the case where the user 3 is on a bus, a train, anairplane, or the like, the processing controller 120 may controlgeneration of a noise reduction signal that cancels an external sound,in order to reduce a sound of the external environment. Accordingly, inthe case where the user 3 is performing behavior which has low necessityto pay attention to the external environment, the processing controller120 can provide the user 3 with a sound field environment that isappropriate for the user 3 to listen to audio content by cancelling thesound of the external environment. Note that the noise reduction signalthat cancels the external sound can be generated by inverting a phase ofa signal of a collected external sound.

For example, in the case where the user 3 is doing walking or the like,the processing controller 120 may control generation of an externalmonitor signal in which strength of an audio signal of a predeterminedfrequency band (for example, a low frequency band) of external sounds isreduced, in order for the user to only listen to the sound that the user3 needs among the external sounds. Accordingly, in the case where theuser 3 is doing behavior that is apt to generate a noise sound of aspecific frequency band, such as wind noise, the processing controller120 can provide a sound field environment that is appropriate forlistening to an external sound and audio content by selectivelycancelling the noise sound. Further, in the case where the user 3 iswalking, the processing controller 120 can also control generation of anexternal monitor signal that causes the user 3 to selectively listen toa frequency band of running sounds of cars.

Such an external monitor signal in which a specific frequency band isselectively cancelled can be generated by, as shown in FIG. 3, forexample, superimposing a noise reduction signal having noise reductioncharacteristics in a frequency band (for example, equal to or lower than300 Hz) that is lower than the frequency band of human voice on a signalof the external sound. Further, such an external monitor signal can begenerated by subjecting the external sound to signal processing using aband-stop filter that reduces a signal of a specific frequency band.

Note that, in the case where the user 3 is moving, the processingcontroller 120 may control generation of an external monitor signal inwhich strength of an audio signal of a frequency band corresponding tomovement speed of the user 3 among the external sounds is selectivelycancelled. To be specific, the processing controller 120 may prepare aplurality of band-stop filters having different reducible frequencybands, and may perform signal processing on an external sound usingdifferent band-stop filters depending on the movement speed of the user3. It is considered that the frequency and the strength of wind noisethat occurs along with the movement of the user 3 change in accordancewith the movement speed of the user 3. Therefore, the processingcontroller 120 can effectively cancel the noise sound such as the windnoise by changing the frequency band in which signal strength is reduceddepending on the movement speed of the user 3, and can thereby providethe user 3 with a sound field environment appropriate for listening toan external sound and audio content.

Further, the processing controller 120 may control, on the basis ofbehavior of the user 3, acoustic processing performed on a contentsignal such as audio content. Examples of the acoustic processinginclude equalizer processing for changing distribution of frequencycomponents of the content signal, virtual (or pseudo) surroundprocessing for assigning ambience to the content signal usingcharacteristics of human hearing, and the like. Note that the equalizerprocessing also includes, in addition to the equalizer processingperformed on the content signal for changing the quality of sound of theaudio content, the equalizer processing performed on the content signalin order to superimpose the content signal of the audio content on thenoise reduction signal or the external monitor signal.

For example, in the case where the user 3 is on a bus, a train, anairplane, and the like, the processing controller 120 may control theequalizer processing such that signal strength of a low frequency bandof the content signal is increased. Accordingly, in the case where theuser 3 is doing behavior in which the noise sound in a low frequencyband of the external sound is large, the processing controller 120 canmake it easy for the user 3 to listen to audio content by increasing thesignal strength of a low frequency band of the audio content.

For example, in the case where the user 3 is doing exercises such asrunning and skiing, the processing controller 120 may control thevirtual (or pseudo) surround processing such that higher ambience isassigned to a content signal. Accordingly, the processing controller 120can control signal processing of the content signal such that thefeeling of the user 3 doing exercises rises by increasing the ambienceof audio content listened to by the user 3.

Moreover, in the case where amplification processing to be performed ona content signal is controlled in accordance with behavior of the user3, the processing controller 120 controls the amplification processingto be performed on the content signal such as audio content on the basisof the behavior of the user 3. The amplification processing is, forexample, signal processing for controlling volume of the audio content.

For example, in the case where the user 3 is driving a bicycle, a car,and the like, the processing controller 120 may decrease the amount ofamplification of the amplification processing performed on the contentsignal. Accordingly, the processing controller 120 can cause the user 3to concentrate his/her attention more on the driving by decreasing thevolume of the audio content listened to by the user 3.

For example, in the case where the user 3 is on a bus, a train, anairplane, or the like, the processing controller 120 may increase theamount of amplification of the amplification processing performed on thecontent signal. Accordingly, in the case where the user 3 is performingbehavior which generates large external sound, the processing controller120 can cause the user 3 to listen to the audio content more easily byincreasing the volume of the audio content listened to by the user 3.

Note that what kind of signal processing is allocated to the recognizedbehavior of the user 3 by the processing controller 120 is not limitedto the above-mentioned examples and can be set freely. The control ofthe processing controller 120 may be set in advance, or may be settableby the user 3 appropriately through software or the like.

The content storage 130 is a storage device included in the informationprocessing apparatus 1, and stores audio content listened to by the user3. The content storage 130 may be a known storage device, and may be,for example, a flash memory, a solid state drive (SSD) device, or a harddisk drive (HDD) device.

Note that the audio content listened to by the user 3 may be stored in astorage device inside the information processing apparatus 1 as shown inFIG. 2, but the technology according to the present disclosure is notlimited to such an example. For example, the audio content may be storedin an external storage device and may be input to the informationprocessing apparatus 1 through an external input interface, or may bestreaming-transmitted to the information processing apparatus 1 througha network or the like.

The microphone unit 140 includes an acoustic device such as amicrophone, and collects an external sound used in the signal processingunit 150 for generating at least one of a noise reduction signal and anexternal sound monitor signal. The microphone unit 140 may be includedin the information processing apparatus 1, and may also be included inthe acoustic device 2 used for the listening of audio content. In thecase where the microphone unit 140 is included in the acoustic device 2,the microphone unit 140 may be provided in an outer part of a housingworn by the user 3 of the acoustic device 2 on his/her ear, may beprovided in an inner part of the housing, or may be provided both in anouter part of and in an inner part of the housing.

The signal processing unit 150 performs signal processing on an externalsound collected by the microphone unit 140, to thereby generate at leastone of a noise reduction signal and an external sound monitor signal.Further, the signal processing unit 150 performs signal processing onaudio content stored in the content storage 130, to thereby generate anaudio signal listened to by the user 3. Note that the details of thesignal processing performed by the signal processing unit 150 iscontrolled by the processing controller 120 on the basis of therecognized behavior of the user 3.

To be specific, the signal processing unit 150 generates at least one ofa noise reduction signal that cancels an external sound collected by themicrophone unit 140 and an external monitor signal for causing theexternal sound collected by the microphone unit 140 to be listened to bythe user 3. Further, the signal processing unit 150 performs acousticprocessing and amplification processing on a content signal of audiocontent stored in the content storage 130. Moreover, the signalprocessing unit 150 superimposes the noise reduction signal or theexternal monitor signal on the content signal on which various pieces ofsignal processing are performed, to thereby generate an audio signallistened to by the user 3. Accordingly, the signal processing unit 150can execute optimum signal processing depending on behaviors orsituations of the user 3.

Note that the signal processing performed by the signal processing unit150 may be executed continually, or may be executed only in the casewhere the user 3 inputs execution instruction.

The output unit 160 outputs at least one of the audio signal, the noisereduction signal, and the external sound monitor signal generated by thesignal processing unit 150. For example, the output unit 160 may be anacoustic device such as a speaker which outputs to the user 3 at leastone of the audio signal, the noise reduction signal, and the externalsound monitor signal generated by the signal processing unit 150.Further, the output unit 160 may also be an external output interfaceincluding a universal serial bus (USB) terminal, an optical audioterminal, and the like, which outputs to an external acoustic device 2at least one of the audio signal, the noise reduction signal, and theexternal sound monitor signal generated by the signal processing unit150.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the information processing apparatus 1according to the present embodiment will be described more specifically.FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration or thelike of the information processing apparatus 1 according to the presentembodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, sensing information of at least one of the user 3and the environment is measured by various sensors 101 corresponding tothe sensor unit 100. Further, a behavior recognition engine (ARE) 111corresponding to the behavior recognition unit 110 recognizes behaviorof the user 3 on the basis of the measured sensing information of atleast one of the user 3 and the environment. A processor 121corresponding to the processing controller 120 controls signalprocessing executed by a digital signal processor (DSP) 153, anequalizer (EQ) 155, and a power amplifier 157, on the basis of therecognized behavior of the user 3.

Further, a microphone 141 corresponding to the microphone unit 140collects an external sound. The collected external sound is amplified bya microphone amplifier 151, then is converted into a digital signal byan analog to digital converter (ADC) 152. The digital signal processor153 performs signal processing on the audio signal of the digitalconverted external sound on the basis of the control performed by theprocessor 121, and generates at least one of a noise reduction signaland an external sound monitor signal. At least one of the noisereduction signal and the external sound monitor signal that has beengenerated is converted into an analog signal by a digital to analogconverter (DAC) 154.

On the other hand, a storage device 131 corresponding to the contentstorage 130 stores audio content, and the equalizer 155 performsacoustic processing on the audio content on the basis of the controlperformed by the processor 121.

An adding circuit 156 adds at least one of the noise reduction signaland the external sound monitor signal that has been converted by thedigital to analog converter 154 to a content signal of the audio contenton which the acoustic processing is performed by the equalizer 155.Further, on the added signal, amplification processing is performed bythe power amplifier 157 on the basis of the control performed by theprocessor 121. The signal on which the amplification processing has beenperformed is output in a manner that the user 3 can be listened to, by aspeaker 161 corresponding to the output unit 160. That is, themicrophone amplifier 151, the analog to digital converter 152, thedigital signal processor 153, the digital to analog converter 154, theequalizer 155, the adding circuit 156, and the power amplifier 157correspond to the signal processing unit 150.

With such a configuration, the information processing apparatus 1according to the present embodiment can perform appropriate signalprocessing on at least one of the audio signal, the noise reductionsignal, and the external sound monitor signal, depending on the behaviorof the user 3 recognized by the sensing information of at least one ofthe user 3 and the environment.

Note that the information processing performed by the informationprocessing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is achievedby cooperation of software and hardware. Examples of hardware includedin the information processing apparatus 1 include a central processingunit (CPU), read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), and thelike, which are connected to each other through a bridge, an internalbus, and the like.

To be specific, the CPU functions as an arithmetic processing unit or acontrol unit, and controls entire operation of the informationprocessing apparatus 1 in accordance with various programs stored in theROM and the like. The ROM stores a program, a calculation parameter, andthe like used by the CPU, and the RAM temporarily stores a program usedin execution of the CPU, a parameter varying as appropriate during theexecution, and the like.

Further, it is also possible to create a computer program for causinghardware such as the CPU, the ROM, and the RAM to exhibit substantiallythe same functions as the respective functions of the informationprocessing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. Further,there is also provided a storage medium having the computer programstored therein.

[1.3. Operation of Information Processing Apparatus]

Next, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, operation of the informationprocessing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will bedescribed.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the informationprocessing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. Note that theoperation example shown below is merely an example, and the operation ofthe information processing apparatus 1 according to the presentembodiment is not limited to the example shown below.

As shown in FIG. 5, first, the sensor unit 100 measures sensinginformation of at least one of the user 3 and the environment (S101).Subsequently, the behavior recognition unit 110 recognizes behavior ofthe user 3 on the basis of the measured sensing information of at leastone of the user 3 and the environment (S103). Next, the processingcontroller 120 controls a processing mode of signal processing on thebasis of the behavior of the user 3 (S105).

Here, in accordance with the processing mode controlled by theprocessing controller 120, the signal processing unit 150 performssignal processing on an external sound collected by the microphone unit140 and generates at least one of a noise reduction signal and anexternal sound monitor signal (S107). Further, the signal processingunit 150 performs signal processing on a content signal of audio contentstored in the content storage 130 by an equalizer corresponding to theprocessing mode controlled by the processing controller 120 (S109).Moreover, the signal processing unit 150 amplifies the content signal ofthe audio content such that volume is adjusted so as to correspond tothe processing mode controlled by the processing controller 120 (Sill).Subsequently, the signal processing unit 150 superimposes at least oneof the noise reduction signal and the external sound monitor signal thathas been generated on the content signal on which the signal processinghas been performed (S113). After that, the output unit 160 outputs thegenerated signal to the user 3 or to the acoustic device 2 (S115).

With the above operation, the information processing apparatus 1 canperform appropriate signal processing on at least one of the audiosignal, the noise reduction signal, and the external sound monitorsignal, depending on the behavior of the user 3.

Subsequently, with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, actual examples ofoperation of the information processing apparatus 1 according to thepresent embodiment will be described. FIGS. 6 and 7 are each a flowchartshowing an actual example of operation of the information processingapparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

First, with reference to FIG. 6, there will be described an actualexample of operation of the information processing apparatus 1 in thecase where the user 3 is doing various exercises at an open road or thelike.

As shown in FIG. 6, for example, in the case where the user 3 is walking(S210), the information processing apparatus 1 recognizes that the user3 is walking in accordance with behavior recognition using sensinginformation with respect to the user 3 (S211), and controls signalprocessing to be set to a walking mode (S212). Further, the informationprocessing apparatus 1 performs the signal processing in the walkingmode, and generates an audio signal to be listened to by the user 3(S213). Here, the signal processing in the walking mode may includegenerating an external monitor signal so that the user 3 can listen tothe external sound, for example.

Next, in the case where the user 3 starts running (S220), theinformation processing apparatus 1 recognizes that the user 3 is runningin accordance with behavior recognition using sensing information withrespect to the user 3 (S221), and controls signal processing to be setto a running mode (S222). Further, the information processing apparatus1 performs the signal processing in the running mode, and generates anaudio signal to be listened to by the user 3 (S223). Here, the signalprocessing in the running mode may include generating an externalmonitor signal in which a sound of a low frequency band such as windnoise is reduced, for example.

Further, in the case where the user 3 has stopped (S230), theinformation processing apparatus 1 recognizes that the user 3 hasstopped in accordance with behavior recognition using sensinginformation with respect to the user 3 (S231), and controls signalprocessing to be set to a stop mode (S232). Further, the informationprocessing apparatus 1 performs the signal processing in the stop mode,and generates an audio signal to be listened to by the user 3 (S233).Here, the signal processing in the stop mode may include generating anoise reduction signal that cancels an external sound, for example.

Next, with reference to FIG. 7, there will be described an actualexample of operation of the information processing apparatus in the casewhere the user 3 is skiing or snowboarding on a ski slope or the like.

As shown in FIG. 7, for example, in the case where the user 3 is on alift (S310), the information processing apparatus 1 recognizes that theuser 3 is on the lift in accordance with behavior recognition usingsensing information with respect to the user and the environment (S311),and controls signal processing to be set to a lift mode (S312). Further,the information processing apparatus 1 performs the signal processing inthe lift mode, and generates an audio signal to be listened to by theuser 3 (S313). Here, the signal processing in the lift mode may includegenerating a noise reduction signal that cancels an external sound, forexample.

Next, in the case where the user 3 starts a slide (S320), theinformation processing apparatus 1 recognizes that the user 3 is slidingon the ski slope in accordance with behavior recognition using sensinginformation with respect to the user and the environment (S321), andcontrols signal processing to be set to a ski mode (S322). Further, theinformation processing apparatus 1 performs the signal processing in theski mode, and generates an audio signal to be listened to by the user 3(S323). Here, the signal processing in the ski mode may includegenerating an external monitor signal in which a sound of a lowfrequency band such as wind noise is reduced, for example.

Further, in the case where the user 3 has finished sliding and iswalking on the ski slope (S330), the information processing apparatus 1recognizes that the user 3 has stopped sliding and is walking inaccordance with behavior recognition using sensing information withrespect to the user and the environment (S331), and controls signalprocessing to be set to a walking mode (S332). Further, the informationprocessing apparatus 1 performs the signal processing in the walkingmode, and generates an audio signal to be listened to by the user 3(S333). Here, the signal processing in the walking mode may includegenerating an external monitor signal so that the user 3 can listen toan external sound, for example.

In this manner, the information processing apparatus 1 according to thepresent embodiment can perform appropriate signal processing on at leastone of the audio signal, the noise reduction signal, and the externalsound monitor signal depending on the behavior of the user 3.

[1.4. Modified Example of Information Processing Apparatus]

Subsequently, with reference to FIG. 8, an information processingapparatus 1 according to a modified example of the first embodiment willbe described. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overview ofthe information processing apparatus 1 according to the present modifiedexample. The information processing apparatus 1 according to the presentmodified example includes microphones, which collect external sounds,both in an inner part of and in an outer part of a housing worn by theuser 3 on his/her ear, and generates a noise reduction signal on thebasis of the external sounds collected by the respective microphones.

As shown in FIG. 8, the information processing apparatus 1 according tothe present modified example is, more specifically, a headphoneincluding a sounding body 431 in a housing 401 worn by the user 3 onhis/her ear. Note that the housing 401 is connected to a housing (notshown) that covers an ear of the user 3 at the opposite side by a headband 402.

In the information processing apparatus 1 according to the presentmodified example, microphones 411 and 412 are provided in an outer partof and in an inner part of the housing 401, respectively, and collectexternal sounds of the outside and the inside of the housing 401,respectively. A noise-cancelling circuit 421 generates noise reductionsignals on the basis of the external sounds collected by the microphones411 and 412, respectively, and generates a synthesized noise reductionsignal by synthesizing the respective generated noise reduction signals.

On the other hand, a content signal S of audio content is subjected tosignal processing by an equalizer 422. The content signal S that hasbeen subjected to the signal processing is added to the synthesizednoise reduction signal by an adding circuit 423, and after that, theresultant is amplified by a power amplifier 424 and is converted into asound by the sounding body 431.

Here, the type that performs noise reduction using the external soundcollected outside the housing 401 is also called a feedback type. Theband in which the feedback type is able to reduce noise is generallynarrow, but the feedback type can perform relatively large reduction. Onthe other hand, the type that performs noise reduction using theexternal sound collected inside the housing 401 is also called afeedforward type. The band in which the feedforward type is able toreduce noise is generally broad, but there is a possibility that thefeedforward type may oscillate by a sound generated from the soundingbody 431.

The information processing apparatus 1 according to the present modifiedexample can perform noise reduction having advantages of the feedbacktype and the feedforward type by combining the feedback type and thefeedforward type and performing the noise reduction. Further, theinformation processing apparatus 1 recognizes the behavior of the user 3on the basis of the sensing information, and performs theabove-mentioned noise reduction or the like depending on the recognizedbehavior of the user 3; thus makes it possible for the user 3 to listento an audio signal more appropriately.

2. SECOND EMBODIMENT

Next, with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, an information processingapparatus 1A according to a second embodiment of the present disclosurewill be described. The information processing apparatus 1A according tothe present embodiment improves accuracy in recognizing behavior of auser 3 by recognizing the behavior of the user 3 by further using, inaddition to the sensing information of at least one of the user 3 and anenvironment, a result obtained by analyzing an external sound collectedby a microphone unit 140.

[2.1. Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus]

First, with reference to FIG. 9, a functional configuration of theinformation processing apparatus 1A according to the present embodimentwill be described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an internalconfiguration of the information processing apparatus 1A according tothe present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 9, the information processing apparatus 1A includes asensor unit 100, a behavior recognition unit 110A, a processingcontroller 120, a content storage 130, a microphone unit 140, a signalprocessing unit 150, an output unit 160, and an analysis unit 170.

Here, the specific configurations of the sensor unit 100, the processingcontroller 120, the content storage 130, the microphone unit 140, thesignal processing unit 150, and the output unit 160 are substantiallysimilar to the configurations described in the first embodiment;accordingly, the detailed description will be omitted here.

The analysis unit 170 analyzes an external sound collected by themicrophone unit 140, to thereby determine an environment surrounding theuser 3. For example, the analysis unit 170 may determine the environmentsurrounding the user 3 on the basis of strength and a frequency band ofa noise sound included in the external sound. To be specific, theanalysis unit 170 may consider a sound in a band having a frequencylower than or equal to the frequency band of human voice (for example,300 Hz) among external sounds as the noise sound, and, on the basis ofthe distribution of the strength and the frequency of the noise sound,may determine the environment surrounding the user 3. For example,examples of the environment surrounding the user 3 that can bedetermined by the analysis unit 170 include “inside a train”, “inside anairplane”, “other than inside a train or inside an airplane”, and thelike.

The behavior recognition unit 110A recognizes the behavior of the user 3on the basis of: sensing information of at least one of the user 3 andthe environment which is measured by the sensor unit 100; and theenvironment surrounding the user 3 analyzed by the analysis unit 170.Here, among the activities of the user 3, there are the ones that areclosely associated with the environment surrounding the user 3. Forexample, in the case where the user 3 is on a vehicle such as a car, abus, a train, or an airplane, the environment surrounding the user 3 islimited to inside the vehicle.

Accordingly, in the case where the environment surrounding the user 3determined by the analysis unit 170 is the one that limits the behaviorof the user 3, the behavior recognition unit 110A may recognize thebehavior of the user 3 on the basis of the environment surrounding theuser 3. To be specific, in the case where the analysis unit 170determines that the environment surrounding the user 3 is inside a car,a bus, a train, an airplane, or the like, the behavior recognition unit110A may recognize that that the user 3 is on a car, a bus, a train, oran airplane. Accordingly, the behavior recognition unit 110A canrecognize the behavior of the user 3 with higher accuracy.

Further, the behavior recognition unit 110A may recognize the behaviorof the user 3 by preferentially using the sensing information of atleast one of the user 3 and the environment. For example, first, thebehavior recognition unit 110A may recognize the behavior of the user 3by using the sensing information of at least one of the user 3 and theenvironment, and then, only in the case where it is not possible torecognize the behavior of the user 3 on the basis of the sensinginformation, may recognize the behavior of the user 3 on the basis ofthe environment surrounding the user 3.

[2.2. Operation of Information Processing Apparatus]

Next, with reference to FIG. 10, an actual example of operation of theinformation processing apparatus 1A according to the present embodimentwill be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an actual example ofoperation of the information processing apparatus 1A according to thepresent embodiment. FIG. 10 shows an actual example of operation of theinformation processing apparatus 1A in the case where the user 3 gets ona train from a platform.

As shown in FIG. 10, for example, in the case where the user 3 iswalking on a platform (S410), the information processing apparatus 1Arecognizes that the user 3 is walking in accordance with behaviorrecognition using sensing information with respect to the user 3 (S411).Further, the information processing apparatus 1A determines, on thebasis of a noise component of an external sound, that the environmentsurrounding the user 3 is other than inside a train or inside anairplane (S412).

Accordingly, the information processing apparatus 1A recognizes that thebehavior of the user 3 is walking, and controls signal processing to beset to a walking mode (S413). Further, the information processingapparatus 1A performs the signal processing in the walking mode, andgenerates an audio signal to be listened to by the user 3 (S414). Here,the signal processing in the walking mode may include generating anexternal monitor signal so that the user 3 can listen to the externalsound, for example.

Next, in the case where the user 3 is on the train (S420), theinformation processing apparatus 1A recognizes that the user 3 is on thetrain in accordance with behavior recognition using sensing informationwith respect to the user 3 (S421). Further, the information processingapparatus 1A determines, on the basis of a noise component of anexternal sound, that the environment surrounding the user 3 is inside atrain (S422).

Accordingly, the information processing apparatus 1A recognizes that theuser 3 is on the train, and controls signal processing to be set to atrain mode (S433). Further, the information processing apparatus 1Aperforms the signal processing in the train mode, and generates an audiosignal to be listened to by the user 3 (S434). Here, the signalprocessing in the walking mode may include generating a noise reductionsignal that cancels an external sound, so that a sound field environmentappropriate for listening to audio content can be provided, for example.

In this manner, the information processing apparatus 1A according to thepresent embodiment can recognize the behavior of the user 3 with higheraccuracy by performing the recognition further on the basis of theenvironment surrounding the user 3 determined on the basis of thecollected external sound. Therefore, the information processingapparatus 1A according to the present embodiment can perform appropriatesignal processing on at least one of the audio signal, the noisereduction signal, and the external sound monitor signal.

3. THIRD EMBODIMENT

[3.1. Configuration of Information Processing Apparatus]

Next, with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, an information processingapparatus 1B according to a third embodiment of the present disclosurewill be described. The information processing apparatus 1B according tothe present embodiment recognizes behavior of the user 3 with higheraccuracy and granularity by further using behavior pattern of the user 3recognized in accordance with a history of position information of theuser 3 acquired by a position information acquisition unit 180.

Here, FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration ofthe information processing apparatus 1A according to the presentembodiment. Further, FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a map onwhich a history of pieces of position information of the user 3 acquiredby the position information acquisition unit 180 is plotted.

As shown in FIG. 11, the information processing apparatus 1B includes asensor unit 100, a behavior recognition unit 110B, a processingcontroller 120, a content storage 130, a microphone unit 140, a signalprocessing unit 150, an output unit 160, a position informationacquisition unit 180, and a behavior pattern recognition unit 190.

Here, the specific configurations of the sensor unit 100, the processingcontroller 120, the content storage 130, the microphone unit 140, thesignal processing unit 150, and the output unit 160 are substantiallysimilar to the configurations described in the first embodiment;accordingly, the detailed description will be omitted here.

The position information acquisition unit 180 acquires positioninformation (that is, the position information of the user 3) of theinformation processing apparatus 1B. For example, the positioninformation acquisition unit 180 may be a GNSS sensor that calculates aposition of the information processing apparatus 1B on the basis ofsignals each attached with time information transmitted from a pluralityof satellites. Further, the position information acquisition unit 180may also be an assisted global navigation satellite system (A-GNSS) thatcalculates the position of the information processing apparatus 1B byreceiving information which assists measurement performed by the GNSSfrom a network or the like. Moreover, the position informationacquisition unit 180 may also calculate the position of the informationprocessing apparatus 1B in accordance with a triangulation method usinga distance from a base station in a mobile telecommunications network ora distance from an access point of Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

The behavior pattern recognition unit 190 recognizes the behaviorpattern of the user 3 on the basis of the history of positioninformation of the user 3 acquired by the position informationacquisition unit 180.

For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the behavior pattern recognition unit190 can acquire a history of transition of the position information ofthe user 3 by plotting pieces of position information 181 of the user 3acquired by the position information acquisition unit 180 on a map intime-series order. For example, in the case where the positioninformation of the user 3 transitions on a railway track on the basis ofthe history of transition of the position information, the behaviorpattern recognition unit 190 can determine that the user 3 is on a trainduring the relevant time. Further, in the case where the user 3 stays ina predetermined building from 9 o'clock to 17 o'clock, the behaviorpattern recognition unit 190 can determine that the user 3 is doingwork.

Moreover, the behavior pattern recognition unit 190 accumulates theabove-mentioned history of transition of the position information of theuser 3 for a predetermined time period (for example, one month or thelike), to thereby be able to recognize more accurately the behaviorpattern of the user 3 on the basis of regularity of the transition ofthe position information of the user 3.

For example, in the case where the user 3 stays in a predeterminedbuilding during the daytime of a weekday, the behavior patternrecognition unit 190 can determine that the user 3 is doing work duringthe relevant time. Further, in the case where the user 3 stays in apredetermined building during many weekends, the behavior patternrecognition unit 190 can determine that the user 3 is staying at homeduring the relevant time. Further, in the case where the user 3 stays ina predetermined building from late at night till early morning ofweekends and weekdays, the behavior pattern recognition unit 190 candetermine that the user 3 is sleeping during the relevant time.Moreover, in the case where the user 3 is in a building such as adepartment store during the daytime of one weekend, the behavior patternrecognition unit 190 can determine that the user 3 is doing the shoppingduring the relevant time.

According to the above, the behavior pattern recognition unit 190 canrecognize the behavior pattern of the user 3 by accumulating the historyof the position information of the user 3 as a life log. Note that, as amethod of recognizing the behavior pattern of the user 3 and thebehavior pattern to be recognized, the technology disclosed in JP2011-81431A can also be used, for example.

The behavior recognition unit 110B recognizes the behavior of the user 3on the basis of: the sensing information of at least one of the user 3and the environment measured by the sensor unit 100; and the behaviorpattern of the user 3 recognized by the behavior pattern recognitionunit 190.

For example, in the case where behavior recognition unit 101B cannotrecognize the behavior of the user 3 on the basis of the sensinginformation of at least one of the user 3 and the environment, thebehavior recognition unit 110B may recognize, as the behavior of theuser 3, the behavior that is determined to be most appropriate at thecurrent time and the current position on the basis of the behaviorpattern of the user 3. Further, the behavior recognition unit 110B mayexclude behavior or activities that can be excluded at the current timeand the current position on the basis of the behavior pattern of theuser 3 in advance, and then may recognize the behavior of the user 3 onthe basis of the sensing information of at least one of the user 3 andthe environment.

Therefore, the behavior recognition unit 110B can recognize the behaviorof the user 3 with higher accuracy and granularity further on the basisof the behavior pattern of the user 3 recognized in accordance with thehistory of position information of the user 3.

In this manner, the information processing apparatus 1B according to thepresent embodiment can recognize the behavior of the user 3 with higheraccuracy and granularity by further using the behavior pattern of theuser 3 recognized in accordance with the position information of theuser 3. Therefore, the information processing apparatus 1B according tothe present embodiment can perform appropriate signal processing on atleast one of the audio signal, the noise reduction signal, and theexternal sound monitor signal.

4. CONCLUSION

As described above, the information processing apparatus 1 according tothe first embodiment of the present disclosure recognizes the behaviorof the user 3 on the basis of the sensing information of at least one ofthe user 3 and the environment, and can perform appropriate signalprocessing on at least one of the audio signal, the noise reductionsignal, and the external sound monitor signal, depending on therecognized behavior.

Further, the information processing apparatus 1A according to the secondembodiment of the present disclosure can recognize the behavior of theuser with higher accuracy by performing the recognition further on thebasis of the result obtained by analyzing the external sound, inaddition to the sensing information of at least one of the user 3 andthe environment. Accordingly, the information processing apparatus 1Acan perform appropriate signal processing on at least one of the audiosignal, the noise reduction signal, and the external sound monitorsignal.

Moreover, the information processing apparatus 1B according to the thirdembodiment of the present disclosure can recognize the behavior of theuser with higher accuracy and granularity by performing the recognitionfurther on the basis of the behavior pattern of the user 3 recognized inaccordance with the history of position information, in addition to thesensing information of at least one of the user 3 and the environment.Accordingly, the information processing apparatus 1B can performappropriate signal processing on at least one of the audio signal, thenoise reduction signal, and the external sound monitor signal.

The preferred embodiment(s) of the present disclosure has/have beendescribed above with reference to the accompanying drawings, whilst thepresent disclosure is not limited to the above examples. A personskilled in the art may find various alterations and modifications withinthe scope of the appended claims, and it should be understood that theywill naturally come under the technical scope of the present disclosure.

For example, in the above embodiments, the information processingapparatuses according to the respective embodiments of the presentdisclosure have been described each using a portable audio player as anexample; however, the present technology is not limited to such anexample. For example, the information processing apparatuses accordingto the respective embodiments of the present disclosure may each be asmartphone, a wearable terminal, an acoustic device such as a headset ora pair of earphones, and an information processing server on a network.

Further, the effects described in this specification are merelyillustrative or exemplified effects, and are not limitative. That is,with or in the place of the above effects, the technology according tothe present disclosure may achieve other effects that are clear to thoseskilled in the art from the description of this specification.

Additionally, the present technology may also be configured as below.

(1)

An information processing apparatus, including:

a behavior recognition unit configured to recognize behavior of a useron a basis of sensing information of at least one of the user and anenvironment;

a processing controller configured to control, on a basis of therecognized behavior of the user, signal processing with respect to atleast one of an audio signal listened to by the user, a noise reductionsignal, and an external sound monitor signal; and

a signal processing unit configured to execute the signal processing.

(2)

The information processing apparatus according to (1), in which

the external sound monitor signal is a signal including a collectedexternal sound, and

the signal processing unit generates the external sound monitor signal.

(3)

The information processing apparatus according to (1) or (2), in which

the noise reduction signal is a signal that reduces noise included in acollected external sound, and

the signal processing unit generates the noise reduction signal.

(4)

The information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3),in which

the processing controller controls acoustic processing to be performedon the audio signal.

(5)

The information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4),in which

the processing controller controls amplification processing on the audiosignal.

(6)

The information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (5),in which

the behavior recognition unit recognizes the behavior of the user usinga machine learning algorithm that uses the sensing information.

(7)

The information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (6),in which

the behavior recognition unit recognizes the behavior of the userfurther on a basis of an external sound.

(8)

The information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (7),further including

a behavior pattern recognition unit configured to recognize behaviorpattern of the user on a basis of position information of the user, inwhich

the processing controller controls the signal processing further on abasis of the recognized behavior pattern of the user.

(9)

The information processing apparatus according to (2), in which,

in a case where the behavior recognition unit recognizes that the useris walking, the processing controller controls generation of theexternal sound monitor signal in which strength of a low frequency bandof a collected external sound is reduced.

(10)

The information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to(10), in which,

in a case where the behavior recognition unit recognizes that the useris moving, the processing controller controls generation of the noisereduction signal on a basis of movement speed of the user.

(11)

The information processing apparatus according to (10), in which

the processing controller controls, on the basis of the movement speedof the user, at least one of a frequency band and strength of noisereduced using the noise reduction signal.

(12)

The information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to(11), in which

control performed by the processing controller is settable by the user.

(13)

An information processing method, including:

recognizing behavior of a user on a basis of sensing information of atleast one of the user and an environment;

controlling, by an arithmetic processing unit, on a basis of therecognized behavior of the user, signal processing with respect to atleast one of an audio signal listened to by the user, a noise reductionsignal, and an external sound monitor signal; and

executing the signal processing.

(14)

A program for causing a computer to function as

a behavior recognition unit configured to recognize behavior of a useron a basis of sensing information of at least one of the user and anenvironment,

a processing controller configured to control, on a basis of therecognized behavior of the user, signal processing with respect to atleast one of an audio signal listened to by the user, a noise reductionsignal, and an external sound monitor signal, and

a signal processing unit configured to execute the signal processing.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   1 information processing apparatus-   2 acoustic device-   3 user-   100 sensor unit-   110 behavior recognition unit-   120 processing controller-   130 content storage-   140 microphone unit-   150 signal processing unit-   160 output unit-   170 analysis unit-   180 position information acquisition unit-   190 behavior pattern recognition unit

What is claimed is:
 1. An information processing apparatus, comprising:one or more sensors configured to measure sensing information of a user;a processor configured to perform instructions to: recognize a behaviorof the user using a machine learning algorithm that processes thesensing information, wherein the recognized behavior of the user is atleast one of: stopping, walking, running, and/or being in a vehicle;control, on a basis of the recognized behavior of the user, signalprocessing; and execute the signal processing of noise reduction andexternal sound monitor on an audio signal.
 2. The information processingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured toperform instructions to: generate a noise reduction signal, wherein thenoise reduction signal is a signal that reduces noise included in acollected external sound.
 3. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein the processor is configured to performinstructions to: control generation of the noise reduction signal on abasis of movement speed of the user.
 4. The information processingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured toperform instructions to: generate an external sound monitor signalincluding a collected external sound.
 5. The information processingapparatus according to claim 4, wherein the signal processing withrespect to the external sound monitor signal allows the user to hear atleast a portion of the collected external sound.
 6. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor isconfigured to perform instructions to: control amplification processingon the audio signal.
 7. The information processing apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the control performed on the basis of the recognizedbehavior of the user is settable by the user.
 8. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor isconfigured to perform instructions to: recognize the behavior of theuser further based on an external sound.
 9. The information processingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured toperform instructions to: recognize a behavior pattern of the user on abasis of position information of the user; and control the signalprocessing further on the basis of the recognized behavior pattern ofthe user.
 10. An information processing method, the method comprising:recognizing a behavior of a user by using a machine learning algorithmto process sensing information of a sensor, wherein the recognizedbehavior of the user is at least one of: stopping, walking, running,and/or being in a vehicle; controlling, on a basis of the recognizedbehavior of the user, signal processing; and executing the signalprocessing of noise reduction and external sound monitor.
 11. Theinformation processing method of claim 10, further comprising:recognizing a behavior pattern of the user on a basis of positioninformation of the user; and controlling the signal processing furtheron the basis of the recognized behavior pattern of the user.
 12. Theinformation processing method of claim 10, further comprising:generating a noise reduction signal on a basis of movement speed of theuser, wherein the noise reduction signal is a signal that reduces noiseincluded in a collected external sound.
 13. The information processingmethod of claim 10, further comprising: recognizing the behavior of theuser further based on an external sound.
 14. A computing apparatuscomprising: one or more computer readable storage media; a processingsystem operatively coupled with the one or more computer readablestorage media; and program instructions stored on the one or morecomputer readable storage media that when read and executed by theprocessing system, direct the processing system to at least: use amachine learning algorithm to process sensing information to recognize abehavior of a user, wherein the recognized behavior of the user is atleast one of: stopping, walking, running, and/or being in a vehicle;control, on a basis of the recognized behavior of the user, signalprocessing; and execute the signal processing of noise reduction andexternal sound monitor in accordance with a control from a processingcontroller.
 15. The computing apparatus of claim 14, further comprisingthe program instructions that when read and executed by the processingsystem, direct the processing system to at least: recognize a behaviorpattern of the user on a basis of position information of the user; andcontrol the signal processing further on the basis of the recognizedbehavior pattern of the user.
 16. The computing apparatus of claim 14,further comprising the program instructions that when read and executedby the processing system, direct the processing system to at least:generate a noise reduction signal on a basis of movement speed of theuser, wherein the noise reduction signal is a signal that reduces noiseincluded in a collected external sound.